Tag: documentary

I want to give a huge shout out to My Dee Dee’s Diary for nominating me for the Sunshine Blogger Award 2017 and for being a beautiful, positive soul. Being such a new blogger, I am very excited and overwhelmed by this opportunity. I look forward to passing on the honor to Wild Pretty Things I nominated below ❤

What is the Sunshine Blogger Award?

The Sunshine Blogger Award is similar to the Liebster Award. Its main purpose is to assist smaller bloggers to gain a following online and to make connections between like-minded bloggers. This award offers a great opportunity to make new friends and work together to create amazing content!

Below are the 11 questions select by My Dee Dee’s Diary , my 11 nominations for the award, and my 11 questions for the nominees.

11 Questions:

1. What inspires you to wake up each day?

I am inspired to wake up each day by my overwhelming desire to reach my goals and aspirations. In my experience, if you want something, and I mean really want something, you have to live it – Breathe it, eat it, sleep it. To be successful in your endeavors you have to know, not think, that you can accomplish them. Now this isn’t all it takes to be successful. You also have to work towards those goals by actively planning the steps you will take to achieve those goals. For me this means planning each day out and looking for new opportunities to focus on those goals. I am a total lit person, I make one each morning with all the goals I have for myself. Waking up each morning is another opportunity better yourself.

2. What is it that makes your blog stand out from the crowd?

I think that each blog has it’s own personality and flair. Yes, blogs can have similar topics, but each is peppered with the personality of it’s author – making no two alike. I think that my personality really shows in my personal style and some of the more serious topics I have covered.

I have always had a personal style that was a bit different from friends and colleagues. From a very young age I would raid my mothers closet to steal too look for thinks that you just couldn’t find in kids stores. I was a bit shy through High School and always found clothes as a safe way to express myself. As I have gotten older, I worked the kinks out of my style and really feel like I have grown into something really interesting.

A blog, large or small, is a platform to get the word out about things you are passionate about. For me that is self-love & the treatment of animals. I think that using this media to support the issue you think are important really makes the blog unique from others.

3. Where do you see your blog going in the next ten years? (think big and be specific)

I want this blog to be a place where people can go to see or learn something that makes them smile. There is so much negativity in the world, especially these days, that if I can create a place where people feel inspired, or happy, or take something away that makes their lives even a shred better, then I have created something that gives me meaning. I want this to become incorporated with the people who view it – This is for you and I want you to take part in it. Through this blogging journey I want to push myself like I never thought I could, and hopefully this makes you want to do the same.

4. Who is your favorite person in the entire world?

My mother is my favorite person in the entire world. My mother is the most kind and patient person I know. She constantly goes out of her way to help others at any expense. She grew up in a large, low-income family and despite not being able to buy all the things she wanted, she found ways t express herself with what she had. In High School she was a punk rocker and was very vocal about the injustices she saw in the world. She taught her children to be strong and to stand up for themselves and the things they believe in. As a child, she would always buy me clothing items that were WAY ahead of any of the trends. She encouraged me not to just do what the world says is “In-Style”, but to decide what you personal thought was style.

5. What food can you not go one day without?

My phone! I am so obsessed with that darn thing that my boyfriend has bestowed it with the name “My Other Boyfriend”. With work, school, blogging, and maintaining a social life my phone is my lifeline.

6. If you were given a million dollars, but could only buy things starting with the letter “D” what would you buy?

I would donate some of it to causes that help abused animals. This is something that really pulls at my heart strings and a lot of the no kill shelter could use the support. I would definitely buy a few rounds of drinks at the bar for my friends and I. And lastly, lots and lots of dinners at the best spots in the city.

7. Which television character would you trade place with for a week and why?

I grew u reading the Gossip Girls books and loved the show. I loved Serena’s free spirited attitude and all the adventures she would find herself in. Okay, well maybe not the whole murder thing with Georgina. Or, the excessive drug use, but you know what I mean. She always had the best wardrobe on the show and the infinite trust fund for excessive shopping trips wouldn’t be too shabby either.

8. Name your top five movies of all times.

A Streetcar Named Desire

A League of Their Own

Shawshank Redemption

Baby Driver

Clueless

9. If you could design the best pair of shoes in the world, what would they look like?

They would be super strappy and colorful for sure. They would be high heels, but they would be 3-4 inches with a wide heel so thy were comfy. If I was designing a shoe, I would want it to be different or special from other shoes. I wold want to have some unique detail – I really like the Sofia Webster winged heels.

10. What is your hidden talent?

I think that my best talent is to take something ordinary and make it special. One of my favorite things to do when I go shopping at T.J. Maxx is to find something is the ale area and make it look interesting or expensive. I like the idea of buying something that no one else saw beauty in and making eye catching. Some of my best outfits have come from this endeavor.

11. Which book world would you wanna live in?

If I could choose a book to live in I would have to say that it would be Alice In Wonderland. I love the idea of being in a place where the impossible could happen. Where anything you think r dream could become a reality. Plus, who wouldn’t want to hang out with a talking bunny??

These last two months have been slam packed with inspiration. I love the transition seasons where you get a little bit of sun from summer and the first taste of Fall’s chill. The last two months were full of transitional favorites. Getting as much us of possible from my summer sunnies and starting to mix metals for Fall. Some favorites are classics – Like my obsession for face masks. And others are becoming a re-occurring trend as embroidery details remain hot into Fall.

Embroidery:

Love is in the details and I am totally crushing over embroidery- From tops and skirts to shoes and purses. This trend is great because it is an easy way to add texture and interest to even the most simple look. Embroidery detailing is so eye-catching that I don’t like to pair it with too many other accessories – The beautiful stitching should be the focal point. The shoes I am wearing below are from my first time watching the Dodgers from a box suite (Post here). These shows are SO comfortable and I got o many compliments from people at the game. See some of the embroidery items I purchased this month below.

Face Masks:

I will probably have face masks on every favorites I have for the rest of time. Growing up with an unfortunate case of acne has made me super focused on my skin and making sure it is nurtured. I have seen the Tony Moly face masks all over Instagram and fell in love with their bright packages. There is a Korean Beauty store by my house where I was able to pick up a few and really loved them. They come in a variety of different combinations for any skin ailment you might have. I also shared a post with some of my favorite egg white face masks (Post here). These are a fabulous and affordable option for papering your skin.

Mixing Metals:

I don’t know why, but a lot of people think of mixing golds and silvers as a fashion faux pa. When done correctly, this detail can add a huge impact to an outfit. I love mixing metals for Fall. Fall is the time to bring out all of you earth tones – Which is a perfect canvas for mixing metals. I mixed an assortments of different metals below and loved the way they played together.

Sunnies:

Living in Los Angeles, Sun glasses are an accessory you do not leave the house without. During summer I go on a sun glasses purchasing spree and around now I realize the damage they have done to my wallet – Whoops! Sunglasses are a great way to add a little mystery to an outfit or to make you feel a little more presentable when you roll out of bed and go for the morning coffee run looking like a hobo (Sometimes the desire for coffee cannot wait through a shower…)

Sometimes an amazing night can consist of a face mask in comfy PJ’s with The Real Housewives of Orange County (Always go for the OG’s ) D.I.Y. face masks are my favorite to whip up on nights like those. I love how simple and affordable they are. Also, you get the piece of mind that you are putting whole ingredients on your skin, instead of harsh chemicals. I love to research different ingredients and how they can benefit my skin. One of my go-to ingredients is egg whites. While they can get a bit smelly, they’re packed with goodness for your skin.

I have listed three of my all time favorite egg white masks. Whether you have acne, acne scarring, or super parched skin, there is a mask below for you. What I love most about these masks, besides the amazing skin benefits, is that all of the ingredients you probably have in your kitchen right now.

1. Acne-Fighting Egg White Face Mask

I had extremely unpleasant acne when I was a teenager and pretty much tried every treatment under the sun. This mask was and still is one of my go to masks when my skin is misbehaving.

In a clean mixing bowl, whisk together the egg white and lemon juice until the mixture becomes frothy. The lemon juice masks the odour of the egg white. Add ½ teaspoon of honey and stir well.

Wash your face with warm water to open up your pores. Using clean hands or a cotton ball, apply the mixture onto your face, avoiding the sensitive areas around your mouth and eyes.

Relax yourself as you wait for the mixture to settle and dry on your face. You can lie down and breathe deeply, thinking happy thoughts!

Keep the mask on for 10-15 minutes. When the mixture has completely dried on your face, gently scrub it off using warm water, tackling all areas of your face in a circular motion. Pat dry with a towel and marvel at the smooth feel of your skin!

Tips:

When applying the mixture, work upwards from your chin to your cheeks and then to your forehead using a gentle circular motion.

Avoid the sensitive areas around the eyes and mouth. The skin in those areas is drier and, if stretched by this tightening mask, can become wrinkled.

This wonderful mask is very effective in getting rid of excess face oils. If you have dry skin, please refrain from using this drying and tightening face mask.

2. Skin-Lightening Egg White Face Mask

Because of my acne, I was left with hyper pigmentation, or acne-scars. I tried so many products to help me lighten the appearance of my dark spot and saw no results. This mask, however, helped me get my skin to where it is now.

Place the egg white and orange juice in a small mixing bowl and whisk until it becomes frothy.

Add in turmeric powder and mix thoroughly. Make sure the mixture is not too drippy.

Using clean hands, apply the mixture to your face and massage in a circular motion, allowing it to sink deep into your skin. Keep it on for 15 minutes while you lie down to prevent gravity from pulling the mask downward.

When the time is up, gently scrub off the dried mask from your face and apply moisturizer. A perfect natural moisturizer is 3-4 drops of olive oil.

Tips:

Wear an old t-shirt over your clothes to prevent yellow stains from turmeric, which can be really hard to wash off.

This egg white mask can be quite drying, so it’s best to apply olive oil to your skin after washing it off.

Refrain from talking or smiling with the mask on because stretching the tight skin may cause wrinkles to appear.

3. Hydrating Egg White Face Mask

My skin is oily in my t-zone, which is perfect for the two masks above. However, my cheek area and around my jaw is prone to dry skin. This mask is perfect for anyone with dry skin or prone to dry patches.

Apply a thick coat of the mixture onto your face with clean fingers and sit for about 15 minutes.

Wash off the mask with lukewarm water when the time is up, and pat your face dry with a towel. Enjoy the look of your moisturized skin!

Tips:

Use a ripe avocado so that it is easier to mash it into a lump-free paste. You can also freeze, then thaw it before mashing to make things easier. If you have a blender, use it instead of a fork to quickly and efficiently blend the avocado into a lump-free puree.

Use plain, unsweetened yogurt with live cultures when making this face mask.

To avoid a drippy mess, ensure that you apply the face mask over your bathroom or kitchen sink.

If you try any of the face masks, comment down below and let me know how they worked for you – I would love to hear your thoughts. Until next time my Wild Pretty Things.

“Remember all the time you let me walk you to classAnd you would kiss my cheek, I’d never have to askYou’re going away in late SeptemberBut here’s a thanks for a summer I’ll always remember.”

When I was in High School, Hello Goodbye played a concert in our auditorium and it was one of the funnest nights I can remember. When I saw they were playing a show to celebrate their first album I called up my best friend and decided that for the sake of nostalgia we had to go. This show was also at The El Rey Theatre which is located mid-Wilshire in Los Angeles – The perfect location for an amazing meal, a bar with a cool vibe, and amazing night at a concert. I had never been to A Food Affair, but when I saw the menu I knew that it was a spot we had to try.

I think that attention needs to be paid to detail put int this gorgeous restaurant. Right when you walk into the door you feel right at home. They have the cutest decor and styling – from the mixed matched lighting fixtures down to the silverware this place has put a thought to everything. (Which I love!!!) Even the bathroom was super adorable! (Uh- yeah I did take pictures of that too…)

That Starter Tho:

A Food Affair is a cozy French-America restaurant with gorgeous decor and a menu littered with tons of delicious options. We started off with the bone marrow appetizer with crispy potatoes strings and a salad made of arugula, parsley, garlic, apple, and fennel. If you have never tried bone marrow – Get on it girl! The best way to describe bone marrow is that it is meat butter. The marrow tastes like the tenderest, juiciest steak you have ever had and spreads on a piece of baguette like the softest of butters. I have only had bone marrow two other times in my life, but this took the cake a the best bone marrow experience I have ever had.

The Main Event:

To balance out the carnivorous starter, for my entree I got the Farmer’s Market Casserole. The Casserole came with these delicious brussel sprouts with shaved carrots and spaghetti squash with a heavenly dollop of burrata on top. Tiffany got the Alaskan Dungeness Crab Cakes which had a mango salsa and a coconut curry yogurt.

My Girls Get Dessert:

Once we got the dessert menu we instantly regretted not just getting one of every dessert from the start. Everything looked so go that we could almost not decide what to get. We ended up deciding on the warm chocolate cookie and the creme brulee. While we waited for the desserts to be completed the head chef came out to our table and greeted us. It was really nice he took the time to come out and say hi and gave us a chance to praise his culinary skills. We started with the warm chocolate chip cookie that came out straight from the oven. This is the way a cookie should be – it was partially cooked with a gooey, doughy center and packed with tons of chocolate chips. It has a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream on top and was devoured in what had to be record time.

Next we attacked that creme brulee. It was perfectly creamy and you could taste the fresh vanilla bean that was running throughout the custard. It was topped with little figs and assorted berries and the sugar was perfectly torched and crunchy.

When we were finally able to pull ourselves out of the food coma we were falling into, we headed to Busby’s East which is right down the street from the concert venue. Busby’s is a really cool bar that features tons of arcade games, a dance floor, and even a mini golf course. You enter from the street and go up the stairs where you enter the massive bar. They have a ton of beer options on tap so we grabbed some Hefeweizens and grabbed some seats at a high to table.

After a few beers we headed to The El Rey Theatre for the show. The show was way more then I expected and as soon as that first song started I was taken back to my awkward 17 year-old self. This is my favorite part about music – no matter how much time has passed, certain songs have the power to take you back in time and make you remember what you thought and how you felt when you last heard it.

If you are in the L.A. area and looking for a comforting, delicious meal and a beautiful ambiance, then you have to stop and try A Food Affair. In fact, I would just go for dessert if my sweet tooth was aching and I was in the area. While everything was served to perfection, the desserts definitely made the meal.

Lately pop-up bars have been sprouting up all over LA and I couldn’t be happier about it. It makes the usual bar crawl so much more exciting! Growing up, Tim Burton movies were always among my favorites. Edward Scissorhands and Big Fish were movies I could always turn to for a huge dose of the feels. Beetlejuice and The Nightmare Before Christmas gave you that spooky glimpse into fantasy and you kept coming back for more. His Batman’s are the best as far as I am concerned – I loved that Tim Burton wacky kind of evil. So When I heard that there was a Tim Burton themed bar called Beetle House in Hollywood, I had to check it out!

You are greeted with this cryptic entrance and then walk into a dark staircase with this awesome “Come as you are…” neon sign at the end. As you walk up to the bar, It is covered in Tim Burton themed art work that has been submitted by artists from all over Los Angeles. There were some really cool pieces all over the bar!

The bar was one of the coolest locations in the place. Not only did it look totally awesome, but they had AMAZING themed cocktails. One we ordered was this fish bowl sized glass that had this light blue, slightly sweet cocktail inside (At this point in the night there was no way I was going to remember the ingredients…). They add dry ice and the drink instantly started smoking – So cool! I am such a sucker for a cocktail with a gimmic like that. If everything I mentioned above hasn’t made you want to get Hollywood right away, then let me tell you that they have a full length mirror wall as you leave. Nothing makes me happier in the morning then going through a million terrible photos of drunk me trying to take a selfie…

Growing up I always loved to read. Scott S. Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck, Emily Dickinson, and Tennessee Williams were among the few of the more romantic authors that I could read again and again. I love the way each sentence just melts off of the page with each beautiful word, leaving you wanting more. People don’t really talk the way they do in these novels, people don’t do the big romantic gestures like they do. That always made these books very special to me – And now I am still a sucker for a beautifully strung sentence.

When it comes to shopping, Romantic details are something I always gravitate towards. Whenever I wear pieces like these, for the rest of the day I play my encounters back inside my head as if I were in one of those novels. This top has the most beautiful off-the-shoulder sleeves. The rousing of the sleeves gives the fabric more volume and creates a dreamy silhouette. The top is made from this gorgeous lilac satin and is super comfortable and light. Paired with some light wash jeans to keep the look light and poetic. I added a simple chain necklace and my favorite Alex & Ani bangles to finish it off.

** This is a collaboration with Kelli Aurand. The thoughts and opinions are entirely my own**

My Hair:

My name is Ramsey and I am a hair dye-aholic. I dye my hair way too often and my hair is especially parched on account of it. Split ends and breakage are huge hair concerns that I have mostly always had. When I was younger I had super thick hair. Over the last couple of years I have seen my hair become a lot thinner. Because of how much thinner it is, my hair gets greasy super really quickly which forces me to wash it way too regularly. My hair is ridiculously long right now, especially for me. Because of the weight of my hair, I find it extremely had to keep any kind of volume – curls and styling eventually end up just hanging limp.

About the Products:

Monat states that their products contain naturally derived, sustainable ingredients. They claim the key to the hair loss prevention is “Capixyl™, powered with Red Clover Extract, a gentle emollient that reduces scalp inflammation, strengthens and thickens hair, and hydrates the scalp to stimulate natural, noticeable hair growth.” (Quote from Monet publicity materials).

The Monat Volume Shampoo and Conditioner does not contain:

Phthalates

PEG

DEA/MEA

Sulfates

Parabens

Harsh salt systems

Harmful colors

Harmful fragrances

My Experience:

Revive Shampoo and Revitalize Conditioner –

I told you above about how my hair has gotten thinner over the last coupe of years. Well I have really noticed that my hair had more lift and body to it after using this for just one week. My hair feels incredibly soft and has a beautiful shine to it. I am usually a product abuser and use way too much per wash. With this product I was told only to use a small amount and really work the product in my hands before applying it to my hair. A pea sized dollop on my palm really did go a long way.

Rejuveniqe Oil-

This made my hair so incredibly soft that I could not keep my hands out of my hair! If you have used argon oil and loved the results but hated the build up, then this is the hair oil for you. The active ingredient is Abyssinian oil which is a natural seed oil that is super light and non-greasy. I mixed this with everything – I put it in with the shampoo, used it as a mask while I slept, and after reading about how it conditions hair while you apply color, mixed it in with my hair when I dyed my hair this week.

Blow Out Cream –

I had absolutely no frizz after blow drying my hair with the cream. Usually I have all these strands that just frizz out and stick out the sides of my head – Not this time. My hair was super silky and soft. I noticed that it was easier for me to style and manage my hair. I’ve never used a blow out cream before, but I am a firm believer in them now.

If you skip a day between shampooing and conditioning the hair isn’t as soft or shiny.

All in all I really loved the way these products made my hair look and feel. The price is the largest hurdle when it come to these products. They are pretty expensive as far as hair care products go. I like how far the product went – I was able to use a small amount per wash and get the full result of the product. This will make your money go father in the long run. I also liked that it is made of all natural ingredients. I did wish that the results lasted a little at least a day or two longer. Kelli Aurand was kind enough to gift me these products and can take your orders if you would like to try any of their lines out. You can contact Kelli on Instagram here or directly from her Monat page here.